Overview & Reviews

Lexus has earned a well-deserved reputation for turning out utterly refined luxury vehicles. The hallmarks of this brand are a quiet, well-crafted cabin, a plush ride and commendable performance from powerful, nearly silent engines.

Lexus began out of a desire by parent company Toyota to create a world-class luxury car brand. Groundwork for Lexus was laid in the mid-1980s, when the company began tapping U.S. focus groups in an attempt to define design concepts best suited for American consumers. Hundreds of prototypes were built and tested on Germany's autobahn and on U.S. roads.

In early 1989, the company unveiled its first two models (which would debut for the 1990 model year) -- the entry-level ES 250 sedan and the flagship LS 400 sedan. The LS 400 was lauded by both journalists and consumers alike for offering a stellar luxury-car experience, with a remarkably silent cabin, superb build quality and a refined V8 engine. At the same time, the LS was priced considerably lower than smaller, lesser-equipped, six-cylinder European rival luxury sedans.

By the early 1990s, the Lexus brand was expanded to other markets, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. More models were added to the lineup, including the SC 300 and SC 400 coupes and the brand's first luxury performance sedan, the GS 300. By decade's end, the company had added SUVs (in the form of the LX 450/LX 470 and RX 300) and had sold more than a million vehicles in the U.S.

The first decade of the 2000s saw Lexus proving itself a trend setter with the launch of many hybrid-powered versions of its vehicles such as the RX 400h and the GS 450h. And by 2011, Lexus even introduced a world-class supercar, the LFA.

In the years since its inception, the Lexus brand has distinguished itself time and again in quality and reliability surveys. The brand's vehicles may not offer as much passion as some Teutonic rivals, but for drivers interested in vehicles that emphasize quality, dependability and comfort, the Lexus marque is hard to beat.

User Reviews:

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  Absolutely LOVE it....... - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By Wind Hill - May 13 - 6:17 am

  I just purchased my first Lexus a few days ago and it was the best decision that I had ever made. The vehicle is so comfortable and well built. The quality of the vehicle is absolutely outstanding. The interior is very well made & plush. This vehicle has all the features. The vehicle is so quiet and I just love it. I used to own a 2012 Cadillac and it was so uncomfortable and very noisy! This will not be my last Lexus. I am sure that I will purchase another one in the near future. Carrie

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  Its still to new - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Douglas Weiss - May 10 - 1:16 pm

  What a wonderful car. This is the kind of a car you want to get on the highways and drive. The ride is smooth and quiet, with all the power you could want for a luxury car.

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  Unhappy with first Lexus - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By ChazK - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Our first Lexus and Ill have to say, Ive never been so dissappointed with an automobile. Transmission seems to slip on occassion and it takes bumps a lot harder than I assumed it would. When driving at low speeds up to about 50, it seems to be a little "jerky", for lack of a better term; almost as though it was shifting back and forth between gears. I would difinately test drive one and concentrate on the ride and not get so caught up in the luxurious interior and all of the whistles and bells. The automobile is beautiful inside and out. I just wish the performance matched the beauty. If I were to base Lexus on this GX470; I would never buy another one.

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  My first RX - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By mark j davis - May 9 - 10:00 am

  We just purchased our first Lexus. The build quality is superb! The enginering is outstanding. The curb appeal is much more compelling then the old RX.

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  8 yrs old and still WOW - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By Kemah Coder - May 8 - 3:23 pm

  To get out of debt, I sold my 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT and then used the proceeds from the sale to buy my 1999 Lexus ES 300. 202,000 miles and 8 years and old and its better than any other used car I looked at. Nothing can touch this car in terms of comfort and reliability. I have been told by three shops now this car is just the Toyota Camry with a lexus name and a little more interior comfort. I agree and am thankful I bought this car for $5800 cash.

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  My First Lexus - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By George - May 8 - 3:16 pm

  Ive owned Toyota products for the past 25 years. I thought that I would give a Lexus RX 350 a test drive, and was so impressed. Im so happy with my purchase, it has all the tech items that one would want - navigation, voice recognition, iPod interface and etc. I personally still cant get over how quiet the vehicle is. You have to keep the sound level down on the radio to ensure that you can hear outside noises. Excellent build quality, great features/options, strong performance and excellent Lexus Customer Service. What else could you ask for in a vehicle.

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  Great Car - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By JLH - May 5 - 12:33 pm

  Have had this car over 2 years. Most reliable car we have owned. Since I am 70, a lot of cars have been owned including 2 of GMs best. Had drivers door adjusted in first month and since than only oil changes and regular maintenance. There is a hesitation, but only when you want to be a jerky driver. Not as smooth as GM cars I have driven. 28 mpg on a 4000 trip last fall, driving out west where the speed is 75+ mph. I get 21 mpg hacking around. I must have an exceptional car because I have not had any of the problems others have mentioned. Looks like I will get around 35000 on stock tires.

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  The Ride Hooked Me - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By JRS - May 3 - 5:23 pm

  Never bought a car for the ride but one Lexus test drive had me hooked. Originally came from the Volvo for Life Family but Volvo sold me a 2003 XC90 with too many problems. I want quality, safety, service, and piece of mind. Instantly fell in love with Lexus’ hybrid ride. Could not tell SUV was on. Talk about get up & go. This baby has power. I keep the cruse control on because I am worried about speeding. It is like floating on a cloud, don’t realize how fast you’re going. Was hoping for better gas mileage. Getting anywhere from 26 to 27 mpg (drive both highway and city). Better than what I was getting before so I’m still pleased. Manual says it gets better after 5000 miles. Will see.

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  Dark of night sale/surprise - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By Sandra Hartnell - May 3 - 5:23 pm

  I bought this car at night on the fly after an auto acc. so didnt have it checked out. The radio LED didnt work nor did the lighter/chargers-annoying. The mpg however is 24 consistently and Ive gotten up to 28 after servicing across the state. When you have to step on it it REALLY kicks into high gear with a pleasant rush for this resistant to aging gal. Id buy this car again and will probably keep it a long time. Not crazy that it looks almost exactly like a Camry but the plus is the parts are interchangeable.

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  Dont buy or lease this SUV for this PRICE !!!!!!!! - 2011 Lexus LX 570
  By luvkarz - May 2 - 10:13 pm

  Im SO glad im leasing this LX. I got out lease on MB GL 450 on Nov. 2010. Me and my wife loved it. My wife wanted to lease new GL but I wanted to something diff. We were almost got Range Rover but with 3 children (5, 3yrs, amd 6 months) it was little small. Only 2 reasons to lease this - got pretty good deal b/c I knew the GM at Lexus dealer and never had Lexus SUV. After 3100 miles, I really dont like this SUV for THIS PRICE RANGE !!!!! If this is $50k range then its acceptable. AGAIN NOT OVER $70k SUV !!! Here is why - 1. doesnt feel solid as GL 2. Horrible connectivity on bluetooth - other person can not hear well 3. ROAD NOISE compared to GL. 4. Doesnt feel like this $75k Luxury SUV